Assessment Task Information:

Previously you have produced a research project proposal and research questions, and completed a literature review relating to the topic you have chosen for the research project.

In this current assignment you have to:

1.    conduct your proposed research project, after which you will

2.    produce a Written Report

about the findings in your research project.

You will write your report and prepare your presentation for an academic audience, so be sure to maintain formal, academic style throughout.

The aim of this task is to give you practical experience in conducting research, collecting and analysing data, and reporting research findings.

This academic piece of writing should include the following sections:

Project Title: Give your project a working title (10-20 words).

Abstract: In less than 200 words you summarise the key contents of your research project (not included in word count)

Section 1: Introduction (500 – 600 words):

In this section you should provide some contextual information about your chosen topic and explain why this topic is worth studying. This should be a developed from your original research proposal based on feedback and your own reflection.  This section should contain the aims and objectives of this research project and a description of the key questions (maximum three) that it aims to answer.

Section 2: Literature Review (1200-1500 words)

In this section, you will act on previous feedback to improve and possibly extend your previous literature review. You should critically review the available academic literature on your chosen topic.  You should compare and contrast existing research findings in order to identify gaps which your research aims to fill, and critically evaluate the quality of existing literature on your chosen topic.

Section 3: Methodology (700 -900 words)

This section should describe and justify your overall methodology. This can be developed from your research proposal but must describe and justify what has been done. In addition, you are required to discuss a range of methodological issues, such as:

1. If you choose primary research methodology you should consider:

·         The research perspective and strategy (Did you apply a quantitative or qualitative approach? Why?);

·         Your data collection methods (Did you use questionnaires, interviews, focus groups, etc? Why?);

·         Your sample size and sampling technique.

·         Your research approach for data analysis.

·         A reflection on the limitations of your methods

1. If you choose secondary research methodology, you should consider:

·         Why secondary research is suitable for answering your research questions;

·         The general strengths and weaknesses of using secondary data;

·         The datasets you intend to use and the strengths and weaknesses of these;

·         How and why you have selected this data.

·         Your research approach for data analysis

In this section you should also consider the ethical issues which are relevant for your project and also provide concrete solutions of how these will be solved.

Section 4:  Research Findings (500-600 words)

This section should present and describe your key research findings and include, as appropriate, graphics to support and aid the reader.

Section 5: Discussion (600 – 800 words)

This section should analyse your key research findings and link these to the existing body of literature on your chosen topic. You should also consider how the research data you have collected helped you answer your research questions.

(Note: it is possible to combine sections 4 and 5)

Section 6: Conclusion/Recommendations (600 – 800 words)

This section should summarise the key findings for your project and reflect on how these could be useful in your chosen field and also recommend how this topic can be further in the future.

Section 7:  Reference List (excluded from the word count)

In this section you should include a list of all sources you have referred to in the report, in accordance with the APA or Harvard referencing conventions.

Section 8: Appendices (excluded from the word count)

This section may include a copy of a reflective diary about your research process and also other documents such as a copy of your research instrument(s), a copy of your informed consent (if applicable), etc.

You should aim to refer to a minimum of 15 sources specific to your topic in your research report. You may wish to use informal sources for background research on your topic e.g. newspapers, reputable websites, in addition to a diverse range of academic sources available to you through your college, including journals, textbooks and chapters in edited volumes, as well as databases.

Please use the APA or Harvard referencing style.

Your report should be 4000 words (+ 20%) in total. References, project title and appendices are excluded from the word count.

·         Implement appropriate qualitative or quantitative research methods and critically appraise methodology

·         Conduct and produce a critically evaluative academic literature review appropriate to the proposed research question(s) following accepted conventions.

·         Critically reflect on academic skills & performance, responding appropriately to feedback to improve aspects of academic work.

·         Produce a research report which follows accepted academic conventions, in which research findings are presented and analysed

‘STUDENT NUMBER – GROUP NAME – TUTOR’S NAME’

Eg.’102648-M27-Ben Windle’

Do not write your name anywhere on the Written Report submission documents.

You must format your Written Report following these requirements:

·         Use Arial or Calibri font, size 12

·         Use double-spaces between lines/1.5 and standard document margins

·         Include an appropriate header

·         Number all pages included in the assignment

·         Include a title page with the following information:

o   Module Code (e.g. PM600)

o   Class/Group (e.g. Group A)

o   Module Title (Research Project)

o   Assessment Type (e.g. Written Report)

o   Module Tutor Name

o   Student ID Number

o   Date of Submission

o   Word count

NB If you experience problems submitting your assessments to Turnitin:
1. Email your tutor your work before the deadline.
2. Take a picture or screenshot of the warning message if possible.
3. Email the screenshot and work to your tutor.

Your tutor will give written feedback and a mark on your assignment.  The assignment will be marked on a scale from 0-100% Your assignment will be marked on the following aspects:

Written Report:

–       Coverage and relevance – how well you addressed the project title

–       Methodology – how appropriate your choice of research design was

–       Findings – how well you presented the results and findings of your research project

–       Discussion – how well you discussed the findings and results from your research project

–       Clarity of expression and use of sources – how accurate your use of academic English was and how you referred to sources in your report

Your tutor will mark the assessment and provide you with a written feedback sheet.  You can use this feedback to guide your further learning in the future.